Most days when we hear or see a fire truck or rescue vehicle our first concern is where is it, which way is it going and am I in the way? Okay, our first three concerns. We might say a small prayer for those in need of their help and a thank you that it’s not us.

But how often do we think about the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs, who make a career out of providing our communities with incredible life-saving medical care any time of day, every day and in every possible environment and circumstance you can imagine?

Whether it’s illness, injury, accident, natural or man-made disaster, these men and women, many of them serving in volunteer positions, make our health, safety and well-being their #1 priority. And they often perform their life-saving efforts in the dark; blistering heat; bone-chilling cold; torrential rain; or a noisy and dangerous intersection.

We, at #ReaLifeSim, salute these “angels among us” for their commitment and dedication to helping us, their neighbors, near or far, when they need help most.

We are proud EMS providers choose wearable ReaLifeSim hybrid IV trainers that go everywhere they go to practice their skills. #yougowego The added realism of ReaLifeSim trainers helps ensure their skills and confidence are at the highest level when you need them. #trainthewayyoutreat

We’re taking this moment to to say “thank you” and we encourage you to do the same, whenever you can. Let EMS know they are appreciated.

James Benson is a career public relations executive with over 38 years’ experience communicating with diverse audiences in a wide variety of venues. A retired Air Force officer, he spent the latter half of his Air Force career as a public affairs officer enjoying a series of one-of-a-kind positions with equally unique communication challenges. From arranging press conferences, to producing news and training videos, to explaining research, development and contracting issues to the media, he enjoyed tuning in to each audience to ensure the message was received and understood. As the marketing director of a mid-sized hospital, Mr. Benson directed the advertising and promotion of membership and referral programs and community health fairs, conducted outreach efforts to rural health care clinics and community education programs, created a trade show display and produced and hosted a radio health program. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Benson served as a senior public affairs executive responding to media requests, preparing senior officials and subject matter experts for media interviews, hosting a magazine-style television program with benefit information for Veterans and providing emcee support for numerous department and public ceremonies and special events. As an adjunct professor, Mr. Benson has taught classes in communications for the past 10 years. Currently, Mr. Benson is providing strategic communications, media relations and marketing support to B & G Educational Innovations, LLC, makers of ReaLifeSim clinical simulation training products